By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Chief General Rhudzani Maphwanya denied allegations of a death squad within the force that exists to carry out torture and murder.
The claims were made public by Open Secrets, a non-governmental organization, which implicated the SANDF in a series of illegal activities including torture, kidnapping, and murder.
Open Secrets recently published a four-part exposé implicating at least four units within the SANDF in criminal activities.
The report linked this alleged squad to the death of Hawks investigator Colonel Frans Mathipa, who was probing into the abduction of Abdella Abadiga, suspected to be an ISIS leader, and his bodyguard Kadir Jemal Abotese.
The abduction case was tied to an incident at the Mall of Africa, and Colonel Mathipa’s subsequent murder occurred in August.
Addressing the media Maphwanya dismissed the allegations as baseless, stating that they have the potential to damage the image and reputation of the SANDF.
“It is important to note that all matters raised in these reports are serious and one would have expected that those who have such information, together with their sources, have an obligation to report such crime to law enforcement authorities. There are a number of avenues where crimes can be reported,” Maphwanya said.
“It is concerning that with all that has been presented to the public, the law still was not approached and there are no formal charges opened against any of the mentioned people or organisations. The law states that failure to report a crime is also an offence. It is also concerning that media and Open Secrets chose to withhold the information that can assist law enforcement agencies to investigate and decided to publish it, for whatever reason.”
Maphwanya said this could be equated to an act of defeating the ends of justice.
He stressed that the SANDF operates within the confines of the law and the constitution, and its mission is to defend and protect the people of South Africa. He further added that the force does not sanction military squads for illegal activities such as torture and murder.
The allegations have triggered a series of legal proceedings. The case of stolen rifles and pistols, which were later recovered, is set to be in court soon. Furthermore, the abduction case at the Mall of Africa is already under investigation and before a court.
The SANDF has reiterated its commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law, with Maphwanya emphasizing that government institutions operate and adhere to democratic principles of the state.
South Africa has a long and complicated history of denying military complicity in criminal activity. At the end of apartheid it was a requirement of the political settlement that neither the apartheid nor liberation militaries should be held to account for criminal activity. At the time, the two primary hidden hands in South African political life — the military and corporate South Africa — were unchallenged lest they undermine the nascent democratic order.
Watch Live in the video below:
Video Courtesy of SANDF.